Mathilde Blouse pattern testing

You've seen the gorgeous Mathilde Blouse sewing pattern released by Tilly and the Buttons yesterday, right? Well, don't be too jealous, but I was one of the lucky pattern testers!!! I was so shocked when Tilly asked me, but I was determined to nail this sweet little number and I'm really pleased with the result.

The pattern itself was lovely to work with and came together fairly quickly and easily - thanks to the most comprehensive instructions I have ever had the pleasure of following. Tilly has outdone herself regarding the quality and the detail of her instructions which actually felt more like a sewalong - in fact I think she's planning on using them as a bit of a sewalong here. Unusually for me, I didn't have to make any adjustments to get a great fit! I just cut a size 3 for the main bodice and a size 2 for the shoulders, neckline, armholes and sleeves.

Mathilde has a number of dreamy details that are hard to resist - back buttons, front yoke, frothy sleeves and tasty tucks. On the tasty tuck front, there are two rows of three tucks on the front bodice and I would seriously recommend practising on a muslin first if they're a first for you. Don't worry, they're not hard, just a bit fiddly...especially when using slippery fabric. Tilly offers some great advice for handling the tucks with slippery fabric, but I would also add that I pressed, pinned and sewed each tuck individually. This took a bit of time, but worked out really well.

I squeezed the blouse out of some fine, 1960s cotton voile that I bought in Cyprus. It's really sheer and I didn't want to ruin the look of the blouse by wearing a cami/vest underneath, so I underlined the bodice with cotton lawn. Although this compromised a bit of the voile's drape, the result is still lovely...so I think I got away with it. I left the sleeves unlined and I'm fond of how delicate they look.

Just proving that my tucks do really exist!

Normally, white's really not my 'thing', but I'm pleasantly surprised by how this turned out. I've already worn it a couple of times and it's received plenty of compliments, which is always nice. For me, this pattern's a winner and I'd like to make another version with shorter sleeves too. Thank you Tilly for inviting me to be a part of your exciting process!

What do you think to the Mathilde Blouse sewing pattern?

If you need further convincing of its brilliance, check out Tilly's Maker Gallery for more delicious versions...

Marie, what a beautiful blouse! Your choice of fabric is perfect and its a special use of special fabric, i like the delicate sheer sleeves and I think white looks good on you. I really like this pattern too, nothing like a front yoke and back buttons. Gorgeous!!

I'm impressed for 3 reasons.1. This style is great. You've nailed it.2. White is a great colour on you3. The tucks were worth the effort.Make it 4 reasons:4. You bought this fabric in Cyprus. That's where my parents are from :)I live in hope to take DH there in a few years time.

It's totally gorgeous, Marie. I think you should definitely reconsider your statement that "white is not your thing". It's totally your thing! You looked amazing in the Watch this Lace blouse, and you look like a grecian goddess in this one.

It's lovely! You must have laughed when I sent you photos of my lace blouse - the patterns and makes are VERY similair. I feel as though I've already had two practice goes and can't wait to get stuck into Tilly's pattern.

Your top is gorgeous, I love your fabric, and the underlining is genius. I have a (possibly stupid!) question re the underlining. Did you underline the front piece before or after making the tucks? I ask because I have the perfect fabric for this top and have already bought the pattern. My fabric is verging on sheer, and, after reading your post, underlining sounds like a great idea. Don't worry if you don't get a chance to answer, and thanks for the idea! :)

Thank you Liz! I don't know if my method is correct by any means, but I underlined my bodice after making the tucks. So my fashion fabric has tucks and my lining doesn't...hope this makes sense and is helpful!

Hello! Several months later, I'm wondering the same thing. So, did you cut the lining minus the tucks? I am also intending to line the bodice, but have cut my lining the same size as fashion fabric, so think I've messed up there! :(

Yes, I cut my lining minus the tucks. It shouldn't be a huge problem that you cut your lining the same as your fashion fabric, as it's always easier when you've cut something too big. Why don't you make the tucks in your fashion fabric, then place it on top of your lining fabric and re-cut the lining accordingly?

Sorry - another question: did treat it as underlining from there on? So did you sew lining and fashion fabric as one at eg side sleeves? Or did you treat it more as a lining and sew them seperatly? Thanks!

New to your blog via Katy at Sleek Silhouette. Lovely blog and am now following you via Bloglovin.

It is beautyfull! I have seen your Mathilde blouse many times, and I knew I wanted to make one of my own. And now I did, but it is a tad to tight over the chest. I am starting to thing I may have trased the wrong pattern size...I used size 4, and I think that I shoul go at least one, maybe to sizes up. (you can see the to small blouse here: http://trollemors-hverdag.blogspot.no/2013/05/my-mathilde-blouse-and-giveaway.html ) That leaves me whit the biggest size! And I am not a big girl... (in my mind at least). I see you used size 2 and 3... may I ask what size you use in store-bought clothes? *pardon me...*

Hi there and thanks for your lovely comments about my Mathilde. I'm sorry your version (which is beautiful by the way) ended up a bit tight around the chest...that's strange! Maybe you have broad shoulders/back, even though you're a slim build? I have a large chest, but very narrow shoulders and back, so I think that's why the 2/3 size fit me. In shops, I usually buy tops that are a size UK 10 or 12. I hope this helps!?!

Hmm thats strange... i am allso a size 12, sometimes 14. But still, should that leave me whit the biggest size? I thing I will ask Tilly and see what she thinks. After all she made ut, so she probably has an idea on the smallest to the biggest size, and what to compare them to...